Improvement in devices for operating sewing-machines



. George I/l/iManson,

fls'fijnar to may and. Samueb leer fen Operating Sewing Machine. I No. Patnted Nov. 7,1871.

Wihxas s as 11M: enter UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. MANSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND SAMUEL KEEPER, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT lN DEVICES FOR OPERATING SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,654, dated November 7, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. MANSON, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful improvement in Operating Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in the peculiar arrangement of the gearing through which motion is imparted to the machine from a coiled spring; also, in a novel way of winding up the spring.

I11 the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a sewing-machine with my improvement attached. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached view of my improved brake device, and Fig. 4 is a detached view of my improved winding device for the spring.

A in the drawing represents the table of a sewing-machine, which rests on three standards or legs, B B B 0 is the shaft, on one end of which the fly or balance-wheel D is secured, and which has its bearing in the three standards B B B Between the legs B 13 rotate four shafts, a b c d. The lower shaft d carries the coiled spring E, with which its inner end is secured, while its outer end is suitably secured to the case F, on one end of which the gear-wheel G is formed, which latter gears with pinion c on shaft 0. This shaft 0 also carries a gear-wheel, H, gearing with a pinion b on shaft 1). Shaft 12 carries a gear-wheel, I, gearing with pinion a on shaft a, which latter carries gear-wheel J, gearing with pinion O on shaft 0. It will thus be seen that I employ four sets of gear-wheels and pinions. The lower gear-wheel in ordinary machines I make with an eight-inch diameter, and the lower pinion with a two-inch diameter, while the other three gear-wheels have a diameter of six inches, and their pinions a diameter of one inch each. This peculiar arrangement of gears enables me to use a spring of only one-tenth the length which I would have to use were I to em ploy a less number of larger gears, for I now have but very little leverage to overcome, and the shorter coiled spring gives more direct power than a long one. On shaft d, outside of standard B is secured a ratchet-wheel, L, for winding the spring E. This is accomplished by means of a lever, M, pivoted on shaft d, and hearing at its lower end a pivoted spring-pawl, m, seizing into the teeth of wheel L from the under side. On

the outside of standard 13 is pivoted a lever, N, at n, carrying at its lower end a pivoted springpawl, n, seizing into the teeth of wheel L from above, while a pin, 0, extending at right angles fi'om the upper end of lever N, has a free vertical movement in a slot, 19, in a corresponding part of lever M. This lever M extends upwardly above the table A of the sewing-machine, and is provided with a handle, 0, which is within easy reach of the person using the machine. In moving the lever M in the direction of arrow at, Fig. 4, the pawl m seizes into the teeth of wheel L and turns the same; at the same time the upper end of the lever M, carrying the upper end of the lever N with it, causes the lower end of the latter to move in the opposite direction and the pawl n to slide over the teeth of wheel L. In reversing the motion of lever M in direction of arrow y the pawl m slips over the teeth of wheel L, while the pawl 41. operates the wheel, for the upper end of lever N, following the movement of lever M, causes its lower end to move in the opposite direction-that is to say, the direction in which the wheel L is continuously turning-the pawl m, which is pivoted, being held down into contact with the teeth of wheel L by its spring. It will thus be easily understood that the lever M, by its reciprocating motion, produces the continuous rotation of wheel L and the consequent winding of the spring. The spring is calculated to run for about an hours continuous work; but the operator, by now and then, say every half hour, operating the lever M, can keep the machine running any desired length of time without being obliged to get up from the machine or attaching a crank to the spring-shaft, &.c. On shaft C, inside of standard B is a keyed brakewheel R, over which the semicircular brake S, which is pivoted at s on standard B is tightly held by spring T, which bears down on it, being secured to the middle of standard B over the brake. The free end of brake S is pivoted to a rod, 1, which is, with its lower end pivoted to the rear portion of a treadle, U, pivoted on the crossbraoe o of the frame. The brake is so arranged that the mere weight of the operators foot resting upon the treadle raises the brake from the wheel, and its withdrawal immediately puts on the brake, thus stopping the machine.

The great advantages of my improvement are great simplicity, cheapness of construction, and

their eminent practicability. They enable ladies to run the machine continually without any ,ex ertion, and to instantlyapply or raise the brake without any trouble whatever.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination and arrangement of the spring and the train of gear-wheels and pinions, the uppermost pinion being directly on the driving-shaft, all arranged and constructed with relation to the strength of the spring, substantially as described and shown.

2. The combination of the levers M N, springpawls m n, and ratchet-wheel L, all arranged to operate substantially as herein described.

3. The combination of the train of gear-wheels and pinions, arranged with relation to the strength of the spring, the spring E, levers M N, springpawls m n, ratchet-wheel L, brake-wheel R, brake S, spring T, rod 1", and treadle U, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described.

Witnesses: GEORGE W. MANSON.

ALEX. A. O. KLAUCKE, J. W. HAMILTON JOHNSON. (134) 

